Beneath the Silver Tree

Princess Elara stood alone in her private chambers, the soft glow of the moonlight bathing her in a melancholy light. The grand tapestries lining the walls were adorned with scenes of past royal triumphs, but to Elara, they seemed like distant, forgotten dreams. Her reflection stared back at her from the polished surface of the large mirror, the person she saw a mere shell of the woman she once was.

She had been a symbol of grace and beauty in the kingdom, always surrounded by the adoration of her people. But that had been before her marriage. Before Prince Damon.

Her marriage had been arranged not out of love but for political power. Her kingdom had been struggling, and an alliance with Prince Damon's powerful kingdom was the solution that both families had agreed upon. The day of their wedding had been grand, with festivities and celebrations, but Elara had felt nothing more than an overwhelming sense of duty.

Now, years later, Prince Damon had become a ghost in her life. He no longer shared their bed, nor did he engage with her during their rare encounters. He remained in his own wing of the palace, and Elara had become nothing more than a pawn in his world. The marriage had never blossomed into love, nor had it even become a meaningful partnership. They were merely two people, living separate lives under the same roof.

She sat at her vanity, her hands trembling slightly as she took a comb to her long, auburn hair, weaving it into a braid. A soft sigh escaped her lips, but there was no one to hear it. She had always been taught to be the perfect princess—demure, composed, always ready to serve her kingdom. But in her heart, Elara yearned for something more: affection, companionship, the simple joy of being seen for who she truly was.

Her thoughts wandered to her late mother, the queen. It had been years since she had passed away, but the memory of her wise, loving presence was still clear in Elara's mind. The queen had always told her that love would come when the time was right. But Elara wasn't sure she believed that anymore.

Elara stood and walked to the window, looking out over the sprawling gardens of the palace. The night was quiet, save for the distant chirping of crickets and the rustle of trees swaying in the gentle breeze. Somewhere far off, the sound of a wolf's howl echoed through the hills. She could almost hear the whisper of the wind telling her that there was still time to change, still time to find happiness.

But how? How could she, when every step she took seemed to lead her further into despair?

"Why did it have to be like this?" she whispered to herself, her heart heavy with the weight of her loneliness.

Far from the royal palace, nestled deep within the kingdom's rugged mountains, there lived a knight named Kael. Once a proud soldier in the royal army, he had fallen from grace after a tragic event that had left him scarred, both physically and emotionally. His once-promising future had been replaced by a life of solitude and quiet reflection.

Kael had never sought glory or recognition. In fact, he had been content to remain in the background, quietly serving his kingdom with dedication and loyalty. But that had all changed after the incident—a battle where everything had gone wrong. His comrades had perished, and Kael had been left with nothing but his scars. He had lost both his physical strength and his will to continue. He couldn't face the people who had once revered him, nor could he stand the looks of pity in their eyes.

So, he left. He wandered from town to town, taking on small jobs as a mercenary and living in the shadows of the kingdom he once fought to protect. He never expected to be called back into service, but when the royal letter arrived, sealed with the insignia of the king, Kael knew it was a summons he couldn't ignore.

The letter was simple: "Come to the palace. The princess is in need of protection."

At first, Kael had dismissed the request. Why would the princess need someone like him, a fallen knight? And yet, as the days passed, something gnawed at him—something he couldn't ignore. He had known Elara when she was a child, when she was full of laughter and light. She had been kind to him, never looking down on him for his station or his status. He remembered how she had once sought his advice when she was troubled, how she had trusted him with her secrets.

He couldn't deny the pull to return.

Kael packed his things and made his way toward the palace, uncertain of what awaited him but feeling, for the first time in years, a spark of purpose return to his soul.

The royal palace was filled with activity as Kael arrived. The corridors buzzed with servants running errands, the sounds of distant conversations filling the air. But as Kael walked through the grand halls, he couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider. The palace had once been his home, but now it felt foreign to him.

When he arrived at the princess's chambers, the guards let him in without question, having been informed of his arrival. The door to her room was slightly ajar, and Kael hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.

Inside, Elara was seated at a vanity, her back to him, gazing into the mirror with an unreadable expression. Her long hair, once a vibrant shade of auburn, now seemed to lack its former luster. She looked older, more burdened by the weight of her crown and her responsibilities. But despite the changes, Kael still recognized her—he would never forget the young princess he had once sworn to protect.

"Elara," Kael said softly, his voice quiet yet filled with an intensity that made her turn around.

Her eyes widened in recognition, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. They simply stared at each other, as if time had stood still since their last meeting.

"Kael?" Elara's voice trembled as she stood up slowly. "Is it really you?"

Kael nodded, his expression unreadable. "It's been a long time."

The words hung in the air, both of them caught in the tension of the moment. Kael had never been good with words, especially when it came to emotions, but seeing Elara like this—so fragile and broken—stirred something deep inside him.

"I've come to fulfill my duty," Kael said, bowing his head slightly in respect.

Elara's eyes were filled with a mixture of surprise and sorrow. "I didn't expect to see you again," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"You deserve better than this," Kael said, his voice low, almost to himself. But Elara heard it, and it struck her deeply.

Kael wasn't just a knight; he was someone who had once cared for her—someone who had always been there when she needed him. Even now, after everything, he had come back.

In the following days, Kael became a constant presence in Elara's life. He was assigned as her personal guard, though the duties were more than that. His protective nature began to shine through, and he remained by her side, watching over her as though she were still the child he had once protected.

Their interactions were brief, but Kael's quiet strength offered Elara a sense of comfort she hadn't known in years. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes. Slowly, she began to open up to him, revealing her deepest fears, her loneliness, and her longing for a life she could never have.

One evening, as they walked through the royal gardens, Elara stopped beneath a tall, silver tree. The soft rustle of the leaves was the only sound, and the moonlight illuminated the path ahead.

"Kael," she said softly, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Do you think… do you think I will ever be truly happy again?"

Kael looked at her, his gaze steady and unwavering. "You deserve happiness, Elara. Don't let anyone take that away from you."

"But what if it's too late?" Elara asked, her heart aching. "I'm trapped in a marriage that I can't escape from. I feel like I've already lost everything."

Kael's hand hovered near hers but did not touch. "You have not lost everything. You still have the power to change your life. Don't give up on yourself."

In that moment, something passed between them—a shared understanding, a bond that neither of them had expected. Elara looked at Kael, truly looked at him, and saw not just the knight but a man who understood her pain. And perhaps, for the first time in years, Elara believed that happiness might still be within reach.